On May 25, Carter Tseng (Tseng Hsien-Chang), founder of Monte Jade West Science & Technology Association in Taipei, delivered a presentation around the theme “The Youth’s Coming of Age and Ventures into Startup Businesses” at SUSTech. Currently a member of Committee of 100* and President of Xiaolong Foundation, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Chinese Institute of Engineers – USA (CIE-USA) in 2004 and the National Friendship Award by the Chinese Government.

Carter Tseng started his presentation by introducing China’s innovation strategies, using examples such as the Belt and Road, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Xiong’An New Area. He then shifted the focus from China to the world, naming Steve Jobs and Elon Musk as definitive, game-changing contributors to society. Tseng also encouraged developing countries like China to fully utilize the concept of “mini innovation” in the earliest stages of invention, saying that “any mini change that adds to the commercial or application values counts as innovation.”

On how to foster the innovative spirit, Carter Tseng suggested that students dare to ask “why” more often and challenge authorities. By introducing major areas of innovation (products, technology, service, process, management, business model) and three levels of innovation (being gradual, progressive and subversive), Tseng pointed out that the most important elements in the startup business are talents, skills, and entrepreneur thoughts.

When giving students advice on coming of age and self-improvement, he highly recommended the leadership training by Dale Carnegie and Stephen Covey’s book called “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” He emphasized that everyone should read the Covey book multiple times and find new inspiration for each new reading. Finally, he called on SUSTech students to be unique, create value, seize opportunities, change the world, and fulfill their dreams.